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Govt ignored terrorist law improvements

The former federal government routinely ignored advice on how to improve anti-terrorism laws, a senior official says.

Bret Walker, the independent national security legislation monitor, has produced three reports over three years on Australia's counter-terrorism laws, the last covering the year to June 30, 2013.

In this latest report, tabled in federal parliament on Monday, he says his recommendations have met with no government or official response.

"When there is no apparent response to recommendations that would increase powers and authority to counter terrorism, some scepticism may start to take root about the political imperative to have the most effective and appropriate counter-terrorism laws," Mr Walker wrote in the report.

One of his recommendations, made in December 2012, was for the government to look at the British system of imposing control orders on convicted terrorists after their release from prison if they are considered to be of continuing danger.

Twelve months ago when the recommendation was made there were 10 convicted terrorists already released back into the community and 13 in jail who were likely to be released within five years.

Mr Walker says he received no response to his recommendation.

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He also put forward the idea of Australian Security Intelligence Organisation officers being able to get questioning warrants by simply satisfying the attorney-general and the issuing authority that it was "reasonable in all the circumstances".

This would avoid having to use what Mr Walker described as the "excessive last resort test".

A further ignored recommendation would ensure terrorism could not be alleged against serving Australian soldiers.